Knockdown bleacher



June 4, 1929. e. A. ANNA'ND ET AL KNOCKDOWN BLEACHER Filed 00t- 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Eizkq w G. A.Annand BY L) ATTOIRNEY J1me 1929- G. A. ANNAND ET AL KNOGKDOWN BLEACHER Filed Oct. 27, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS EZHKay w GA.Annan0L ATTORNEY BY (i mm Patented June 4, 1929.

UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE- KNOCKDOWN BLEACHER.

v Application filed 0ctober 27, 1927. Serial- No. 229,225.

This invention relates to the construction ofbleachers of that temporary character such as are erected for the accommodation of the public to view athletic contests of different kinds, parades and similar spectacles. At present such bleachers are built of wood and are cut and entirely erected where they are tobe used, and no special design enters into their construction. As a result the material is frequently faultyor the bleachers have insufficient strength, resulting in the collapse of the bleachers as very often occurs. Also while such bleachers are temporary they are in no sense of a knockdown character and when wrecked they leave no semblance of their original form and the parts can rarely, if ever, be used again for the same purpose. Also, the erection and wrecking consume con siderable time and labor.

The principal object of our invention' therefore, is to rovide bleachers of a knockdown form so tliht they may be easily erected and dismantled with a minimum of time and labor and the component parts used over and over again. The frame work and bracing of the bleachers being of fixed and precalculated dimensions, ample-strength is assured at all times.

. Another novel feature isthe provision of individual foot rests for the occupants which are separate from the seats themselves. This is a feature lacking in bleachers of ordinary construction and which is a frequent source of discomfort to the occupants of one row or the other of the seats, as is appreciated by those who have utilized such structures.

- Our improved bleachers are also so constructed that the component parts when dismantled and stacked together will occupy but little space. Such parts may therefore when in this condition be very easily shipped or store Fig. lis a perspective elevation of a sketch of bleachers constructed according to our im roved design.

i 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the bleac ers.

Fi 3'is a perspective elevation of a main ing frames of the structure are of structural iron, substantially of triangular form and comprise each a vertical back post 1, a relativcly short front post 2, a horizontal beam 3 connecting the posts near the ground and an upper member 4 extending between the tops of the posts and consequently having an upward slant from front to back. A diagonal brace 5 extends from'the back post near the bottom to the sloping member 4 intermediate its ends to brace the latter against deflection. The posts at the bottom are turned under to form flat feet F.

The above named parts are all rigidly and permanently connected together in any suitable manner so as to form practically a one piece unit. As many of these frames may be used as desired and they are disposed in parallel and suitably spaced relation. The front posts 2 of adjacent frames are then connected by diagonal brace units, consisting of bars 6 permanently pivoted together centrally of their ends as at 7 so that they can be folded up and connected to the correspondin posts 2 by removable bolts 8. Similar, hut of course longer, brace bar units 9 are removably connected to the adjacent back adjacent frames by bolts 10.

Mounted on the frame members 4 at longitudinally spaced intervals thereon (or transversely of the bleachers) are horizontal supporting straps 11 for the seat boards 12,

whose length is equal to the distance between tudinally of the plate. These lugs are adapted to project through slots 16 cut in the supports 11, the lugs 14 being first placed so that their hook ends will pass under the supports; the eye lugs 15 then readily dropping into place as will be evident. The eyes of thelugs project below the straps 11 in position to receive tapered drifts 17 which are mounted on flexible elements such as chains 17 a which are secured to the frame members 4. When the seats are thus placed and secured it will be seen that they cannot be accidentally misplaced either vertically, laterally, or longitudinally,

Intermediate the different supports 11 hangers or cradles 18 depend from the memposts of bers 14, the bottoms of these hangers being horizontal and being each provided with a single longitudinal slot. 19. Said bottoms are also lower than both adjacent seat supports between which the hangers lie, and they are disposed closer to the lower seat than to the upper seat of adjacent airs of seats. These hangers form supports or foot boards 20 which have transverse plates 21 secured on the bottoms thereof in longitudinal alignment with the hangers so as to rest thereon. An eye lug 22 depends from each plate for projection through the corresponding hanger slot; this eye being adapted to be then engaged by drift 23 attached to a chain 24 or the like secured to the member 18.

The lower seat is spaced such a distance from the ground that the occupants of such seat will rest their feet on the groundwhile the vertical distance between the other seats and the corresponding foot boards is desi ned so as to comfortably support the feet of the occupants. These foot boards not only support the feet while the occupants are seated but of course form aisles or runways when the occupants are moving to and from their seats. a

The component parts of the structure are all substantially fiat as will be evident so that when the bleachers are knocked down all such parts may be stacked together in very compact form making it easy to transport or store the structure. 7

At the same time it will be seen that when it is desired to erect a section of bleachers there are but comparatively few parts that have to be handled and connected together, and it will be evident that when such connection is made and the erection of the bleachers is completed, that a structure of ample strength for the purpose intended is provided.

From the foregoing descri tion it will be readily seen that we havepro uced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described our-invention what we claim as new and useful and desire to sethrough the other slot, and a drift to be passed through the said'last named lug below the support.

2. In a bleacher, a horizontal seat supporting strap having a pair of longitudinally spaced slots therein, a seat to rest on the strap, the slots extending transversely of the seat, a hooked lug depending from the seat to project'through one slot, the hook portion of the lug being adapted to pass under one end of its slot, and another lug depending from the seat whose sectional area is substantially that of the other slot and positioned on the seat to project through said other slot when the hook 0111 the first named lug is projected under its s ot.

-3. A collapsible bleacher structure including separate frame units, each frame unit consisting of vertical end posts of different heights terminating at their lower ends in flat feet to rest on the ground, a member extending between and secured to the posts adjacent their upper ends and having an upward slant from front to rear, a horizontal beam rigidly connecting the posts adjacent their lower ends, and horizontal seat supporting straps mounted on said slanting member at intervals along the length thereof.

In testimony whereof we aifix our signatures.

EDGAR H. KAY. GEORGE A. ANNAND. 

